Staff Attorney
Program Decription:
Columba Legal Services seeks a full-time, highly creative Staff Attorney to address systemic statewide issues from our Wenatchee office. Columbia Legal Services represents some of the most marginalized people in our community, and fights poverty and oppression in all its forums. As an unrestricted, civil legal aid organization, we use all forms of advocacy on behalf of those we serve, including large-scale litigation, policy reform, and innovative partnerships. We share a deep commitment to serve and advocate alongside our clients as we seek justice together. The ideal candidatde for any position at Columbia Legal Services will be able to articulate their role in the achievement of that vision.
Responsibilites:
- CLS's advocacy is conducted by four project teams. The attorney will focus on cases assigned to our Basic Human Needs Project, which safeguards essential benefits and rights for low-income people, as well as other advocacy including complex litigation or appeals and policy advocacy. The attorney must:
- Be available to travel occasionally around the state, and may spend some time in Olympia during the legislative session.
- Work with teams of attorneys on complex litigation including class actions.
- Identify practices and laws that adversely affect the rights and diminish the benefits for low income populations.
- Coordinate with other advocacy groups and legal service organizations and the private bar to identify opportunities and execute strategies to advance the law for low income populations.
Applicants must be members of the Washington State Bar or seek admission as soon as possible after employment. Characteristics preferred for this position:
- Experience in complex litigation or appeals a plus.
- Excellent research, writing, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- Ability and willingness to work well with a team, including meeting deadlines.
- Willingness to travel and work flexible hours.
- Demonstrated initiative and creativity.
- Ability to manage a variety of cases and projects going on simultaneously.
- Cultural competence and experience working with low-income client communities.
- Bilingual in Spanish is required.
Position is open until filled. Please note that due to the volume of applications received, CLS is unable to respond to every application. We will contact you if we decide to pursue your application. No phone calls please. To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, a short writing sample (3 pages or fewer), and three ferences to:
Trisa Kern, Director of Program Administration
Columbia Legal Services
101 Yesler Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
If e-mailed, please make Wenatchee Staff Attorney your subject line.
Program Policy:
Columbia Legal Services is committed to a policy of pluralism and equal opportunity in an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices for its client communities, Board and staff. Pluralism refers to the active promotion of mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork and productivity among people who are diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religious preference, marital status, sexual orientation, sensory, mental and physical abilities, veteran status, or any other perceived differences. The resulting diversity is both a source of program strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness.